Hola VPN is a freemium service, which means users can enjoy both a free version and a paid one, with better features for your Chrome experience. However, after reviewing both, we can safely conclude that it is a brand to avoid, for several reasons.
If you are looking for a content-unblocking tool without any specific concerns about privacy, then Hola may help you accomplish your goals. But several red flags prevent us from recommending it. The privacy policy isn't clear, and the encryption isn't robust at all. The company claims to keep no logs, but evidence shows otherwise. In 2015, Hola got caught using its free VPN subscribers as a botnet, selling it to paid Luminati users.
Hola VPN for Chrome Logo
Hola is compatible with Mac, Android, Windows, iOS, and more. Whereas the brand has a reputation for excruciatingly slow speeds, it didn't fare very poorly, being surprisingly fast in the European area. Naturally, the Hola free version is slower than the paid one mainly because it involves connection through P2P nodes. The encryption method isn't specified, but leaks are a recurrent issue.
Keep in mind that this is not a real VPN application and it won’t encrypt completely your bandwidth (e.g. BitTorrent, games, FTP client) to do so you have to download Free VPN client or buy a VPN service or check at least our comparison of best VPNs for Chrome.
Pricing & Discounts – How much does Hola VPN Premium Account cost?
Hola has two modes: the free service, and a paid one. The latter allows up to 10 simultaneous connections and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. With the premium service, you won't have to share your IP address.
The premium plan is costly, at least compared with other safer, more resourceful competitors. It costs $11.95 per month, but the number goes down to the equivalent of $6.99 if the payment is made yearly, and $2.99 if it is done every three years.
Hola VPN Pricing Review
With the three-year plan, users can save an impressive 75 percent, given that the investment under to month-to-month mode would be $430.20, and under the proposed arrangement it would fall to just $107.55.
User Interface – Is Hola VPN easy to use?
One strong point in Hola's favor is that it is relatively easy to install, set up, and use in your Chrome browser. It has a simple but efficient design, with all the necessary information.
Hola Free VPN For Chrome User Interface
The installation of the Hola VPN for Chrome (browser extension) was made very quickly, taking less than a minute from the download to the moment when it started working on Google's go-to browser.
The Hola website also provides users with installation guides for several devices and platforms. The bottom part of the page shows links with the steps to set up the service on each operating system, equipment, and platform, including Chrome.
Does Hola Free VPN for Chrome Unblock YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, HBO GO, Amazon Prime, & BBC iPlayer?
During our testing, Hola VPN~ worked well with YouTube, Google, and Facebook. Unfortunately, we have not been able to connect to Netflix and Hulu.
Hola Free VPN for Chrome doesn't unblock Netflix
The same problem we had with BBC iPlayer but that wasn't a big surprise since BBC iPlayer blocks nearly all VPN services, except HideMyAss VPN which recently even announced new feature IP Stickinees for Improved Netflix and BBC iPlayer streaming.
How to add Hola Free VPN to Chrome Browser?
Adding Hola VPN to your Google Chrome Browser is sooo easy, all you need to do is follow these 3 simple steps below
- Go to Hola VPN Chrome Store page.
- Click the button “Add to Chrome” in right upper corner of the overlay window.
- All done! Enjoy Hola VPN for Chrome ?
Conclusion
Hola VPN and its Chrome browser extension makes for a passable solution for content-unblocking purposes in 2019. However, those that care about the privacy and safety of their digital assets should think twice before subscribing. Although Hola VPN does offer acceptable speeds and is very straightforward to install and use. It isn't highly compatible, encryption quality is poor, it doesn't support Netflix streaming, and torrenting isn't allowed.
In case you are seeking for more privacy and encryption of all your internet connection, including other apps than your browser. You should rather check our comparison of Best VPN solutions out there.
- Free version
- It is surprisingly fast
- Very easy to install and use
- A 30-day money-back guarantee in the premium plan
- Good content-unblocking capabilities
- Customer service is virtually non-existent
- Serious privacy concerns
- Evident WebRTC and DNS leak problems
- Session and connection logging
- No proprietary servers
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Overall9
